Improvement in metal fence-posts



D. S. MATHIAS. Metal Fen0e-Post.

No. 214,677. Patented April 22, 1879.

152 2/67? for: what? MPEIERS, PHDTO-LITHOGRAFHER. WASHINGTON. D C,

DAVID S. MATHIAS, OF

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROSEDALE, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR TO THE KANSAS IRON FENCE COMPANY.

IMPROVEMENT IN METAL FENCE-POSTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 214,677, dated April 22, 1879; application filed December 14, 1878.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID S. MATHIAS, of Rosedale, in the county of Wyandotte and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal Fence- Posts; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, showing a perspective View of the post, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of posts which are used for wire fences.

The object of my invention is to make a metal fencepost having an inclosed slot (preferably rectangular in form) for the reception of wire strands, to which there can be no access, and from which there can be no escape laterally for the wires without forcing a way also, to provide convenient means whereby, without injury to the post or wires, the wires may be secured in the slot or removed therefrom.

This is accomplished by making in a malleable-metal fence-post, A, or in a flange of such post, the slots B, preferably rectangular in form. The prongs, which are made as hereinafter stated, are springy or elastic, and the slot is made in the form above mentioned, in order to provide a prong or prongs of sufficient length to secure the necessary elasticity.

The prongs may be pressed aside or apart sufficiently to admit the wire, and the force being removed they will spring back, completely closing the aperture.

The slot may be made of any other shape that will admit of springy or elastic prongs being formed in its outer wall in such manner as to leave no opening whatever for the entrance or removal of the wire except by springing the prongs.

The outer side of the slot is cut in two at any desired point, as d 01, making the prong e or the prongs e e. The prong e is made to join at its upper end the post, and the prongs e e are made to join each other, thus completely closing the slot or aperture.

The prongs may be readily sprung or bent far enough to admit the wire, then closed again, and may be reopened in the same manner to release the wire, when desired.

The slot or aperture may be made of such length that its outer side, when out at or near the middle, (1, will have two prongs, e e, of such length that either may be readily sprung or bent so as to permit the wires freely to pass.

I claim- In a metal fence-post, A, or a flange there- 

